Coffee vending machine



July 6, 1954 K. c. MELIKIAN ETAL COFFEE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 10, 1948 CREAM SUGAR DIAL DESIRED STRENGTH- TH EN PUSH BUTTONDEL/VERY RELAY LOCK-IN CONTROL FOR COFFEE Mata z: ms-z/z/wv July 6, 1954K. c. MELIKIAN ETIAL COFFEE VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1948 6Sheets-Sheet 3 gwuemm J ly 6, 1954 K. c. MELIKIAN ETAL 2,682,984

COFFEE VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 if s a 1x?124 Q i zfi? g 130 n J s a k 112 g hyx l I l I y 1954 K. c. MELIKIANETAL COFFEE VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 10, 1948 awe/WMA wea/aMa/KMA/ aara z. W00

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I589 $398+ W H M M N\\ v Q M W /V v KN w w. z a

July 6, 1954 K. c. MELlKlAN EI'AL COFFEE VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 101948 Patented July 6, 1954 COFFEE VENDING MACHINE Khoren C. Melikian andLloyd K. Rudd, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Rudd-MelikianCorporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 10,1948, Serial No. 7,484

10 Claims.

This invention relates to coffee vending machines and more particularlyto machines for vending coffee responsive to actuation of a coin controlmechanism; wherein all the ingredients such as cofiee, cream, sugar,etc., are interdependently controlled.

It has heretofore been the practice to vend coifee, cream, and sugarfrom machines which were inherently unable to provide substantiallyfresh, full-flavored coffee. For example, some machines provided amixture of powdered coffee extract and hot water which were mixedsubsequent to coin insertion. Such powdered preparations, however,rarely have the same taste as normally prepared coffee. On the otherhand, other machines vend normally prepared coffee but are subject tothe drawback that the coffee is fully prepared prior to being placed inthe machine, and since the keeping qualities of normally prepared coffeeare poor, various adulterating preservatives must be added, which affecttaste and purity of the product. Further, the fully prepared coffee mustbe maintained at a high temperature in the machine so as to be readilyavailable for vending in a palatable condition, which sustained heatingfurther hastens the deterioration process. Even at room tem-- peraturefully prepared coffee deteriorates rapidly owing to the large quantityof water compared to the amount of coffee ingredient therein, aphenomenon which is not fully understood but is well known.

Acording to our present invention we eliminate the drawbacks of priorart, devices by providing a machine which vends substantially freshcoffee by virtue of mixing a small amount of highly liquid concentratedcofiee extract, which is kept in a refrigerated condition, with hotwater which is maintained in a heated tank or reservoir. In this manner,each cup of coffee is substantially freshly mixed and since the keepingqualities of a refrigerated liquid coffee extract are far superior tothat of normally prepared coffee, our machine is capable of long pediodsof use without replenishment or servicing.

We achieve our result by combining, within the same housing, arefrigeration compartment which keeps not only the coffee extract in achilled condition, but also a large quantity of liquid cream. Alsowithin the housing are a hot water tank having automatic pressure andtemperature regulations, and a reservoir for liquid sugar, i. e., simplesyrup. Further, an automatic cup dispensing mechanism having a novelmounting, and a spoon dispensing mechanism are incorporated into ourdevice, including a cup chute and a spoon actuating means involvingimproved structure. In addition, a sterilizing lamp is disposed adjacentthe cup chute above a drain platform on which the cups are adapted torest during filling, which drain platform is constructed in such a,manner as to be quickly and thoroughly cleaned.

Our machine utilizes a coin control mechanism having a novel type ofscavenger, and employs an electric control system which effects a cycleof operation responsive to insertion of a coin in the coin mechanism.The system comprises a plurality of rotary cams which operatemicroswitches for actuating a plurality of solenoid valves permitting apredetermined quantity flow of coffee extract, hot water, cream andsimple syrup, during the course of the cycle. A pair of control buttonsis incorporated into our circuit in such a manner that coffee with orwithout sugar and with or without cream may be obtained at the option ofthe vendee. In conjunction with these control buttons, other controlsare utilized whereby the quantities of cream and sugar dispensed may bepredetermined by the vendee within certain limits.

Various objects and features of our invention being apparent from theforegoing discussion, other objects and features will be apparent fromthe detailed description which now follows, taken in conjunction withthe drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of our assembled machine, shown assembled withinthe housing;

Fig. 1a is a view of a portion of the front panel of our machine showingdetails of the control elements;

Fig. 1b is a side view of one of the control elements;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view showing the arrangement of the cupchute, the drain rack, the commodity outlets and the sterilizing lamp,the section being taken generally through 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a section through 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the drain rack;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the spoon dispensing mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a section through 1-! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of one of the four commodity valves;

Fig. 8a is a section through Baa-8a of Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing the cup turret in tilted position;

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the cam and switch assembly, shown mountedon the shaft of the cup dispensing motor;

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit utilized in ourmachine;

Fig. 11a is an enlarged and simplified diagram of a portion of thecircuit;

Fig. 111) is an enlarged and simplified diagram of another portion ofthe circuit;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a modified refrigerating cabinet;

Fig. 120. shows a plan view of an element of Fig. 12;

Fig. 121) shows a plan view of another element of Fig. 12.

General description of the machine With reference to Fig. 1, our machinecomprises a cabinet Id of sufficient volume to house all elementstherein, and having a door [3 hinged thereto, the door being shown inmaximum opened condition to clearly expose the several parts of themachine. For simplicity no wiring is shown in this view.

The cabinet is constructed with a fabricated bracket assembly, generallyindicated at I6, arranged to support a cup magazine [9, an electricallyheated hot water tank 2|, a drain rack 23, a spoon dispensing mechanism24 and spoon magazine 24a. As will be clear from Fig. 1, containers ofcertain of the commodities to be dispensed, viz, sugar, cream andcofi'ee, are suitably supported above bracket i so as to take advantageof gravity flow. The sugar container, which holds a quantity of simplesyrup may be disposed on a shelf 27 welded (not shown) to the rear wallof the cabinet. The liquid cream and liquid coffee extract containersare housed in a refrigerator 3!) which may be supported by suitablefastening (not shown) to the side wall of cabinet [0.

A junction box 33 into which may be plugged electric cables from certaincontrol elements on door I3 is likewise supported by being fastened inany suitable manner to the side wall of cabinet I 0.

Bracket it also supports a cup chute 36 which is disposed below the cupoutlet of magazine IS but is not integrally attached thereto, magazine[9 being secured by a hinge 39 to bracket It.

A cluster of solenoid operated valves 42 is secured above the opening inthe cup chute and are connected by tubes 43 to respective commoditycontainers. An ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 45 is disposed so as todirect its rays into the chute, and towards the valve outlets as well asto the rim of the cup 48.

It should be noted that the hot water tank is disposed quite close tovalve cluster 42 so that as little heatas possible will be lost in thetubing connection (not shown) between the tank and its respectivesolenoid valve. The water in tank 2| is under city pressure throughsupply pipe 22, the pressure being regulated through a pressureregulator valve 22a. Thus feed from tank 2! does not depend on gravity.

The lower portion of the cabinet houses a waste tank into whichdrippings from drain rack 23 are carried through an S trap drain pipe49; like-- Wise the pump and condenser of the refrigerator are housed inthe lower portion of the cabinet. It will be understood that suitablerefrigerant conducting pipes (not shown) are connected from therefrigerating pump unit to the refrigerator cabinet 30.

The door I3 is provided with a cut out area 5| through which access ishad for cup removal when the door is closed. Carried by the door are acoin insertion chute and scavenging mechanism 54, push button controlmeans 51, 58, manually rotatable knobs 5Q, 68 (Figs. 1a, 1b), and a soldout signal lamp 6|.

The cup chute and cup receiving assembly With reference to Figs. 2 and3, this portion of our machine comprises a housing 65, shown in section,supported by'bracket it shown in phantom. Passing through the side ofthe housing is the chute 36 which is formed in two sections, an uppersection 35a and a lower section Upper section 36a terminates in a plate3? permanently fixed to bracket l6 and disposed below the outlet of thecup dispenser. The chute is integral with bracket It and not movablerelative thereto. The cup dispensing magazine, however, being hinged at39 (Fig. 1) may be tilted forward bodily as will hereafter be described.The angle between the two sections 35a and b is approximately 135 andthe angle made by the lower section 3612 with reference to a horizontalplane is approximately 45. The lower end of the section 3% isskeletonized, at 360 there being a large portion of the material, asindicated by the dotted line, 36d, re moved. This construction permitsthe cup to descend, bottom first, at the proper rate and to fall intothe partial ring formed by 360 whereby it is righted in readiness forfilling. It should be noted that the cut-out portion as indicated by 36dextends substantially along the upper surface of section 35b so thatthere is clearance for a cup to commence being righted of its own weightafter the lower end thereof passes the edge 360. However, upon the lowerend of the cup striking the interior surface on the right half of ring360 it is caused to drop vertically the remaining short distance so asto come to rest on rack 23. Thus, the basic principle involved in thisconstruction is the provision of a slantedly disposed truncated tube,the truncated portion being disposed to provide clearance for rotationof the cup as it passes an edge at the lowermost portion of the tube,whilst a buffer wall formed preferably in ring shape is disposed so asto arrest all motion of the cup except in a vertical direction.

The drain rack With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the drain rack comprisesa plurality of rod-like rollers '15, having ends rotatably carried inopposed side members 18. The construction is such that the rollers arereadily revolved upon being wiped with a cloth or sponge and accordinglymay be quickly and thoroughly cleaned. It is contemplated that therollers will be made of stainless steel or other noncorrosive material.Thus an unsightly and unsanitary condition of the drain rack is easi yavoided.

The spoon feeding mechanism As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the spoonfeeding mechanism 24 comprises a motor and gear box indicated in dottedoutline within a housing 82 from which extends a rotary shaft 85 whichcarries a toothed wheel 81 which is rotated during the cycle ofoperation. Magazine 24c houses a column of spoons directly over wheel87, the lowermost spoon being in engagement with the top teeth of thewheel. Since the spoons are in reality flat pieces of wood somewhatsimilar in shape to tongue-depressors, it will be understood thatrotation of the wheel 8'! forces the lowermost spoon outwardly through aslot at the base of the magazine.- Thus as the lowermost spoon isejected through slot 90, the remaining spoons. drop en masse of theirown weight, each spoon in turn being ejected, upon arrival at thelowermost position, during a cycle of operation.

The solenoid vaZves thereabout, and their outlets comprising truncatedtubes 9i, opening centrally of the cluster formed thereby, there being ashield 92 encom' passing the outlets, Fig. 3.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 8a, a body member 95 is provided with a bore 9?terminating in an outlet tube 9I. A flow regulating member Hill isprovided, threadedly engaged in the body across bore 91. It will beappreciated that member I00 may be adjusted by inserting a screw in KeriIlllla. The upper portion of bore 91 is constricted by a valve seat I03,which is normally closed by a valve head Hi6. Valve head N36 is carriedin a magnetically operated plunger I09 which is biased to downwardposition by a spring II2. Plunger IE9 is provided with longitudinalgrooves II5, cross channels IE8, and a central bore I21, in such amanner that all such passages are interconnected. Plunger I09 isslidably arranged in a non-magnetic shield I24 which is threaded intobody 95 and around which shield is dim posed a solenoid I21 which inturn is encompassed by a housing member I30 threadedly engaging body 95and being closed at the top by washer I33 and nut I36.

Member I24 terminates in an undulated inlet extension I39 suitable forgripping engagement with the end of a tube of resilient material from acommodity container.

Thus when solenoid IZ'I is energized, plunger I09 is raised against thebias of spring I I2 to permit flow through the valve.

It should be noted that owing to the naturally different viscosities ofthe commodities and to differing pressures thereon, depending on heightsof liquid in the containers, the regulators I00 are required tocompensate therefore, so that during Y the course of a cycle apredetermined and accurate amount of flow of each commodity is achieved.

The cup magazine and related parts We prefer to employ a commerciallyobtainable cup dispensing mechanism and make no claim to any inventionthereof except as noted hereinafter. Our cup magazine, indicatedgenerally at I9 (Fig. 9) is of the known type which comprises aplurality of tubular holders, each of which holds a quantity of nestedcups and which holders are mounted to form a rotary turret, thearrangement being such that as each holder is depleted the turretrotates a portion of a turn to bring a fresh holder into position fordispensin its cups through chute 36. Such mechanisms are actuated byelectric motors and we take advantage of this construction to utilizethe motor thereof for rotating the cams which form the means for timingthe flow cycle of the several commodities. As shown in Fig. 9, we fit anex tended shaft I43 to the motor 545, through suit" able reductiongearing (not shown), which motor is regularly installed in the device aspurchased,

. switches actuated by rotating cams.

and we aflix a plurality of cams I41 thereon, Fig. 10. The several camsare made of any suitable stiff material and actuate the movable arms I48of a plurality of respective micr0-switches I49.

The particular feature of our invention to be observed in connectionwith Fig. 9 is the pivoted position of the entire magazine I9 about thehinge 39, to the extent permitted by a catch member M, so that the topsof the cup holders are exposed to view. It will be understood thatsuitable flexible cables are connected from motor Hi5 and micro-switchesI49 so as to permit the tilting forward of the holders. With thisconstruction we are enabled to conveniently fill the cup magazine withstacks of nested cups. This is in contradistinction to priorconstruction wherein access to the top of the magazine had to beprovided by using an unduly high cabinet,

or by providinga removable cover therefor or by translating the magazineout of the cabinet.

The cup magazine is equipped with a switch I50 (Figs. 11, 11a)controlling a motor designated which causes automatic rotation of theturret so as to bring a fresh column of cups over chute 36 each time acolumn is exhausted, and an additional switch I5I (Fig. 11) whichautomatically energizes the sold out lamp BI and de-energizes the coinreturn solenoid when all cups in the magazine are exhausted. Theelectrical functions of the latter switch will be hereinafter discussedunder the topic of circuit operation. A further switch I52, which isoperated by a cam mounted on shaft I43, and which controls current tomotor I45 for dispensing individual cups is provided as part Of themechanism.

The circuit As heretofore indicated, the commodities dispensed by ourmachine are controlled in quantity by solenoid valves energized throughmicro- In Fig. 11 there is shown symbolically a plurality of commodityvalves labelled: Cream, Coffee, Sugar, Water, and a plurality of camslabelled: Water, Coffee, Delivery, Shunt. These elements cornprise thevalve cluster t2 and cams t ll, as shown generally in Fig. l.

The circuit also comprises a plurality of relays designated as: DeliveryRelay, Trigger Rela Sugar Holding Relay, Sugar Delivery Relay, CreamHolding Relay, Cream Delivery Relay, all as found in Fig. 11. Theserelays, including a lamp transformer for the germicidal lamp, a pair ofconventional thermal delay relays, a filament heating transformer forsame, a counter mechanism, and a pair. of cream and. sugar volumepredetermining resistors H5 and fist, respectively, all ascorrespondingly labelled on Fig. ll, are contained within the junctionbox as indicated in dotted lines. On the door it of the cabinet, alsoindicated in dotted lines on Fig. 11, are disposed the cream and sugarpush buttons 51, 5B and a pair of variable resistances Illi, hill,operable by knobs 59, iii} (Fig. la), which resistances connect inseries with resist" ances H5 and Itil, respectively, when the male andfemale members of conventional-interconnectors I are joined. Numerals onthe male and female members are shown to designate specific connections.In a similar manner the sugar and cream push buttons are connected tothe remainder of the circuit in the junction box by interconnectors I36;and interconnectors I89 connect the coin drop switch and coin acceptancesolenoid to the circuit, while interconnector iSI performs the samefunction for the sold out lamp.

In like manner interconnector members I94 and I95 are utilized to makeconnections from the cams, valves and cup motors to the circuits in thejunction box 33, while interconnectors I96 join the cup dispensercircuit with the cam and relay circuits.

The elements as shown in Fig. 11 are in normal non-operating position.Under such conditions (Fig. lie) the coin return solenoid is energizedthrough contacts :ca of relay I, and the sold out lamp is dark since thelamp is normally controlled by contacts bc of switch II, which contactsare not engaged. The cams are in the relative positions shown, thedelivery cam switch being closed and all other cam switches being open,including the cup delivery switch I52 which is in series with the cupdispensing motor.

The specific operation of the circuit is as follows:

1. When a coin is dropped in the coin drop chute, the coin drop switchis momentarily triggered which sends an impulse to the solenoid ofdelivery relay I at point c (Fig. 11a). Relay I is thus energizedwhence:

(a) Contacts :1: and a open causing de-energization of the coin returnsolenoid, thereby blocking any further coin acceptance until a deliverycycle is completed.

(72) Contacts a and b close, thereupon feeding an impulse to point e ofthat relay causing it to lock in energized position. The power to pointa is fed from the delivery cam which is normally closed as shown inFigs. 11 and 11a.

(0) Contacts c and (1 close which shunts cup delivery switch I52thereupon energizing the dispensing motor of the cup magazine.

(d) The cup delivery switch cam and all the other cams on the shaft I43commence rotating.

(e) After approximately rotation the cup delivery switch is closed thusfeeding current to the cup dispenser motor independently of con tacts cdof relay I.

2. Approximately one second after starting of rotation of shaft I43 acup drops into position on shelf 23 (Fig. 1) through the chute 36, allas heretofore described. At this time the following functions occur:

(a) The water dispensing cam actuates its re spective micro-switch toactuate the water solenoid valve thus sending a predetermined amount ofhot water into the cup.

(b) This same micro-switch energizes the spoon dispensing motor to ejecta wooden spoon.

(c) The coffee micro-switch is closed by its respective cam whereby thecoffee solenoid valve is opened to dispense a predetermined quantity ofcoffee.

(11) The counter mechanism, which is actuated by the coffee dispensingmicro-switch, registers a sale. y

(e) Trigger relay IV is energized upon closing of the coffeemicro-switch, current to point e of that relay energizing the solenoidthereof and causing contacts ab and c-d to close which sends anelectrical impulse to point e of the sugar holding relay V and to pointe of the cream holding relay II. Fig. 111) shows a portion of thecircuit in a somewhat simplified manner, for cream control.

(f) The sugar holding relay V and the cream holding relay II lock n theenergized position because of power fed through their respective pressedto dispense sugar or cream at any time after the coffee micro-switch isclosed, as will be evident from consideration of the foregoing. Pressingone of the buttons energizes a respective relay; for example, the creamdelivery relay III (Fig. 141)), whereupon contacts 0 and (Z engage topass current from the heater transformer to the thermal relay filament,while contacts ab pass current to lock relay III in and also passcurrent to the cream valve solenoid. After the filament has attainedsufficient heat, as determined in point of time by series resistancesI15 and H5, the contacts a-b in the thermal relay separate, breaking theholding circuit in relay II. The holding current of relay III isaccordingly broken and the cream valve solenoid thus deenergized,shutting olf flow. The period of flow is of the order of two seconds,depending on the setting of the variable resistances and the quantity ofcream delivered is thus determined by resistance I15 within the limitsdetermined by resistance I15.

The sugar control relays V and VI are operable in precisely the samemanner, as described for the cream control, by the sugar push button 58,through the respective thermal delay relay, quantity being determined byvariable resistances I and I80.

Rotation of shaft I43 continues until after approximately 340displacement, the delivery cam momentarily opens and closes itsrespective micro-switch which has the effect of interrupting the currentto point a of relay I, whereupon this relay assumes the normal positionshown, i. e., it becomes de-energized. The trigger relay is deenergizedwhen the coffee cam completes its effective cycle, whereupon the coffeemicro-switch is opened. After one revolution of shaft I43 the cupdelivery switch I52 is opened by its respective cam, therebyde-energizing the cup dispensing motor.

After sugar or cream, or both, are dispensed, and the relays arerestored to the normal positions, the system is ready for another cycle,the contacts a-b in the thermal delay relays being once more engaged.

Switch I5I, at the time that the very last cup is being dispensed, isoperative to open contacts a-b and close contacts bc, for de-energizingthe coin acceptance solenoid and energizing the sold out lamp,respectively, there being mechanism (not shown providedas part of thecup magazine for actuating the switch. However, the current for the cupdispensing and turret motors also passes through contacts a,b of thisswitch. Accordingly, if switch IEI be operated after the last cup hasbeen dispensed, but prior to completion of the liquid dispensing cycle,rotation of all cams would cease prior to closing of the valves andwater and coffee would continue flowing through the held open valves.This difficulty is eliminated by the shunt cam which holds itsrespective micro-switch closed, thus shunting contacts ab of switch I5Iuntil the cycle is completed, thereby ensuring full rotation of the cupdispensing motor until the cams have returned to starting position,wh'ereat all valves are closed.

The modified refrigerator chamber In Fig. 12 is shown a refrigeratorchamber 206 having angle irons 23! therein for supporting containers ofcream and coffee. Tubes 43 connect the containers to respective valves'42, as

heretofore described. I

The novel construction herein consists in providing a plastic member 205of U shape in the floor of cabinet 299 through which tubes 43 pass.

The bottom of member 2195 is closed by another plastic member Elt (Fig.1217), which is held therein by brackets 2M (Fig. 12a). Closure member2m has a slot 21! therein which slot is madesufliciently large to permittubes 43 to pass therethrough with enough surrounding open area as toensure a downward fiow of cold air from cabinet 25!]. Such constructionmaintains the exposed portions of the tubes and the valves 42 at a lowtemperature to prevent spoilage of such quantities of cream and coffeeas normally remain therein between dispensing cycles.

Cabinet 286 is provided with a door 220 having a gasket seal 223, ofrubber or the like, and a special seal 226 is provided having portionsarranged to engage the end of members 2H) and the lower portions of themember 295 so as to prevent leakage therearound.

We have found that the use of plastic, such as metha-crylate or thelike, for members 205 and 256 substantially eliminates the formation ofcondensation from the surrounding atmosphere on these members, whichcondensation would cause a dripping of moisture onto the valves and intothe cup during dispensing, an obviously undesirable condition.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that member 265 could bemade sufficiently large to house the coffee and cream valves, ifdesired. In such case slot 2 l i need not be any larger than necessaryto permit protruding of the valve outlets. In fact, two holes, one foreach outlet, could be substituted for the elongated slot.

Having thus described our invention, we are aware that manymodifications thereof are possible of the several features disclosed;accordingly, we do not consider ourselves bound by the specificstructure described except as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An electrical system for a coin operated coffee dispensing machinecomprising a pair of cams and respective switches actuatable thereby,coffee and hot water valve solenoids operated by said switches, a motorfor actuating said cams, a delivery relay, means for initially andmomentarily energizing said delivery relay, means for locking in saiddelivery relay for a predetermined period, said motor being energized inresponse to energization of said delivery relay, a trigger relay, meansfor energizin said trigger relay in response to closing of one of saidswitches at a time determined by the shape of the respective cam, aholding relay, means for energizing said holding relay in response toenergization of said trigger relay, means for locking in said holdingrelay, a commodity relay, means comprising a push button for momentarilyenergizing said commodity relay, said commodity relay being locked in bycurrent passing through engaged contacts of said holding relay and meanscomperiod whereby said commodity relay is de-energized.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said timing elementcomprises a thermal delay relay having a heater filament and havingnormally engaged contacts through which passes holding current for thesolenoid of said holding relay independently of said trigger relay, andrelease means whereby said normally engaged contacts are disengagedafter a predetermined period subsequent to actuation of said push but.-ten.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said release meanscomprises a pair of contacts engageable upon energization of saidcommodity relay to pass current to the heater filament of said thermaldelay relay for disengaging the contacts thereof.

4. An electrical control systemfor a dispensing machine comprising asolenoidvalve, a normally open switch for energizing said valve, a camfor closing said switch, electric motor means for actuating said cam, adelivery relay, means ior momentarily energizing said relay, a normallyclosed switch through which passes a holding current to said relay whensaid relay is energized, a cam for momentarily opening said latterswitch to de-energize said relay, said latter cam being actuated by saidelectric motor means, a normally open switch and means for closing saidswitch prior to de-energization of said delivery relay and opening saidswitch subsequent to deenergization of said delivery relay, and meanswhereby said last named switch serves to control the extent of actuationof said cams so as to insure the motion thereof to the end of a completecycle.

5. In a system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for closingsaid normally open switch comprises a cam actuated by said motor means,current to said motor means passing through said switch during a vendingcycle.

6. In a machine for vending colfee, a control system comprising asolenoid valve for controlling coiiee extract, a switch controlling saidvalve, a cam controlling said switch, a delivery relay, an electricmotor for actuating said cam, said motor being energized uponenergization of said delivery relay, means for momentarily energizingsaid delivery relay and means for maintaining said delivery relayenergized for a predetermined time,

, said means including normally closed switch elements and an additionalcam actuated by said motor for separating said elements at the end of acycle, to stop said motor, wherein said solenoid valve is energized fora predetermined portion of said cycle.

'7. In a machine as set forth in claim 6, including a commodity holdingrelay and a commodity delivery relay, said holding relay being operativewhen energized to render said commodity delivery relay operable and tomaintain it in energized condition when said commodity delivery relay ismomentarily energized, means for momentarily energizing said commoditydelivery relay, said holding relay being initially energized responsiveto closing of said switch controlling said solenoid valve.

8. In a machine as set forth in claim 7, including a trigger relayintermediate said valve solenoid control switch and said holding relayand serving to energize said holding relay when said control switch isclosed.

9. In a machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means formomentarily energizing said commodity relay comprises a push button,including a current timing device rendered operative in response toactuation of said push button, wherein when a current passes throughsaid timing device said holding relay is de-energized after apredetermined interval, thereby de-energizing said commodity relay,including a solenoid valve controlled by said commodity relay fordispensing a commodity during said time interval.

10. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a cup dispensingmechanism, a cup dispensing motor for actuating said cup dispensingmechanism, a plurality of switches, an electric circuit controlled bysaid switches, means controlled by said circuit for vending liquidproducts, and cams actuated by said cu dispensing motor for actuatingsaid switches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNumber 12 Name Date Hall May 16, 1916 Stiriss Aug. 28, 1923 SchietzelDec. 12, 1933 Brady May 7, 1935 Yeomans Nov. 26, 1940 Forsthoefel et a1.Aug. 19, 1941 Parsons Apr. 7, 1942 Nicholson June 2, 1942 Platt June 9,1942 Mills Jan. 19, 1943 Doggett Mar. 6, 1945 Thompson et a1. May 22,1945 Whitman Sept. 11, 1945 Bently Jan. 6, 1948 Bowman Feb. 15, 1949Earley et a1 Feb. 14, 1950 Knapp May 15, 1951 Knapp June 26, 1951

